Sustainable Homes

Friends of the Earth has welcomed the new national Planning Policy Statement on climate change announced by Ruth Kelly, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government. However it feels that the new voluntary Code for Sustainable Homes, also published this week, should be made mandatory if it is to deliver results.

Friends of the Earth's Planning Advisor Hugh Ellis said: "Ruth Kelly's package of measures to tackle climate change through the planning system represents a huge step forward. It gives local authorities some important powers to cut carbon emissions - the onus is now on them to use them.

"The Code for Sustainable Homes contains lots of positive recommendations, but unless it is made mandatory it is unlikely to have a significant effect. We have limited time to make the cuts in carbon dioxide emissions which are needed. Carbon zero homes could be built now - so why wait ten years before insisting that builders construct them?

December 2006